Aztec Gods and Goddesses
Religion was extremely important in Aztec life. They worshipped hundreds of gods and goddesses, each of whom ruled one or more human activities or aspects of nature. The people had many agricultural gods because their culture was based heavily on farming; also they included natural elements and ancestor-heroes.
They believed that the balance of the natural world, the processes that make life possible - like the rain or solar energy - and that the destiny of people depended on the will of these gods. While some deities were benevolent, others had terrifying characteristics.
The Aztecs thought that the power of the gods should be acknowledged and thanks given to them, so as to avoid the catastrophes that their rage or indifference could cause. For this reason, the monumental ceremonial centers were built and there were so many religious rites. The existence of the gods and their goodwill were maintained by offering up the most valuable human possession: life. This then, was the origin of human sacrifice and the ritual of bearing intense physical pain, which believers intentionally caused themselves.
Source: http://www.crystalinks.com/aztecgods.html
Millions of human sacrifices and acts of torture made towards these terrifying gods and goddesses did not go unnoticed. The blood spilled in religious fervor attracted malevolent spirits, agents of chaos that ruled the ancient Aztec world - their belief brought about a true and cruel reality. The power of these 'gods' and 'goddesses' faded when their worshipers disappeared, but rather than disappear completely these beings used their remaining energy to put themselves into a deep, deep sleep, steadily draining energy from conflicts in the area - the conquests, the genocides, the territory wars and the drug wars; wherever blood was spilled or pain was intentionally inflicted, the energy went to them, building in their reserves as they slumbered in silence.
This sleep lasted almost two thousand years when they were suddenly reawakened by a new wave of worship by ardent individuals in what is now Central America. With just one human sacrifice, the 'gods' and 'goddesses' reawakened all at once, stronger than ever. They used their power to recreate the city of Tenochtitlan and, from atop their towering temples, they gathered information from fervent and fearful followers about this new world, this peaceful Crystal Millennium, to use in their plot of global domination.
Note: Only certain gods and goddesses were embodied by the agents of chaos. To find out more about the Aztec religion (and thus research the possible gods/goddesses) check out these websites:
http://www.aztec-history.com/ancient-aztec-religion.html
http://www.crystalinks.com/aztecgods.html
